Uncovering the past of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) is a significant and often emotional step for those affected and their descendants. The Ministry for State Security (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi, operated an unprecedented apparatus of surveillance and oppression. Today, these documents are managed by the Federal Archives (Stasi Records Archive) to shed light on the biographies of those persecuted.
The Stasi Records Archive (formerly BStU)
Since merging in 2021, the Stasi records have been managed as part of the German Federal Archives. It oversees millions of files, index cards, and photographs documenting the surveillance of the East German population.
What can you find in a Stasi file?
- Operational Procedures (OV): Targeted surveillance of an individual with the goal of “decomposition” (Zersetzung) or arrest.
- Reports from Unofficial Collaborators (IM): Records from neighbors, colleagues, or even family members who provided information to the Stasi.
- Prison Records: Documents regarding political imprisonment in facilities such as Berlin-Hohenschönhausen or Bautzen.
Who is eligible to apply for access?
The Stasi Records Act (StUG) strictly regulates who can view which files to protect the privacy of the victims:
- The Individuals Affected: People about whom the Stasi collected information.
- Next of Kin: If the affected person is deceased, spouses, children, or grandchildren may apply for access (e.g., to clarify fates or verify pension claims).
- Researchers & Journalists: For the historical or media-based appraisal of the dictatorship.
Step-by-Step: How to Submit an Application
Unlike Nazi-era research, there is no public online database with real names for Stasi files to protect victim privacy.
Step 1: Submit the Application
You must submit a written request for file access. This can be done:
- Online: Via the portal of the Stasi Records Archive.
- By Mail: Using the official form.
- Proof of Identity: You must prove your identity (certified copy of your ID or identity verification on-site).
Step 2: The Waiting Period
Because files must often be manually reviewed and information about third parties (other victims) must be redacted, processing can take several months or even years.
Step 3: Viewing the Files
You can choose whether to receive copies of the files by mail or to view the originals at one of the regional offices (e.g., Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig).
Key Contacts & Memorial Sites
In addition to the central archives, specialized memorial sites assist with the rehabilitation process:
| Institution | Focus | Contact |
| Stasi Records Archive | Central file access | info@bundesarchiv.de |
| Hohenschönhausen Memorial | Political imprisonment in the GDR | stiftung-hsh.de |
| UOKG (Victim Association) | Advice for politically persecuted | uokg.de |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for accessing the files?
For those affected and their next of kin, information and file access are generally free of charge. Only small fees for photocopies may apply.
Can I see who spied on me?
Yes. If you receive access as an affected person, you can apply to have the codenames of Unofficial Collaborators (IM) decrypted to learn the real names of the people who wrote reports about you.
What if no file is found?
This does not necessarily mean you were not monitored. In the final months of the GDR (1989/90), the Stasi destroyed vast amounts of files. Some of these “torn documents” are currently being painstakingly reconstructed.
Conclusion
Searching through Stasi records is an act of personal justice. It helps in understanding the mechanisms of the GDR dictatorship and provides closure for those seeking to understand their own fate or that of their ancestors.